Kyrgyz and Yakut filmmakers to shoot joint film based on Aitmatov’s work

Bishkek, Oct. 9, 2018. /Kabar/. Kyrgyzstan and Yakutia are planning to make a film based on the work of Chyngyz Aitmatov's “Spotted Dog Running on Seashore” together with Yakut filmmakers, Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of the Kyrgyz Republic Taalaibek Kulmendiyev told at a press conference on the opening of the First International Festival of Kyrgyz Cinema in Yakutsk. The first festival of Kyrgyz cinema in Yakutsk will last from October 8 to 12. It is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of outstanding Soviet writer, playwright Chyngyz Aitmatov. The legendary author is known not only in his native republic, but also in the territory of all countries of the former USSR. In Russia, he gained particular popularity in the Far East, since many of his works affect the particularities of the life and faith of the local population. The opening of the first International Festival of Kyrgyz Cinema was held in Kulakovsky House of Peoples' Friendship. The organizers said that Yakutsk had long wanted to host this festival, and today, on the anniversary of Chyngyz Aitmatov, this is a special honor. At the same time, holding such festivals on the site of House of Peoples' Friendship, in the Russia cinema hall should become a tradition. So, in February-March, the Days of Mongolian Cinema will be held, then the arrival of colleagues from Kazakhfilm is planned. Taalaibek Kulmendiyev said that last year during the Days of Literature and Art of Kyrgyzstan in Yakutia, agreements were reached on the implementation of a joint project - a film based on Aitmatov's story “Spotted Dog Running on Seashore”. This work by the great Soviet author has been the base story for play by Andrei Borisov “Zhelanny Goluboy Bereg” (Russian: Желанный голубой берег, lit.: Desired Blue Shore) for 36 years in Yakutsk. “We, in Kyrgyzstan, have allocated $150 thousand for this project. And we want to implement it together with Yakut cinematographers in the Yakut land. Sooner or later we will carry out this project, because it is our common writer, close to all of us,” Taalaibek Kulmendiyev commented for YSIA.RU. As for further cooperation, the cinematographer noted that next year a festival is expected to be held in Bishkek by decision of the CIS Assembly. It is also planned to hold a film festival, during which the Days of the Yakut cinema will take place. The Kirgizfilm studio was established 76 years ago, about 500 films had been shot before the state gained independence. In 2011 - the film studio produced about 100 films a year, now - about 60. Now the cinema of Kyrgyzstan is divided into commercial and authorial, which is usually shot at the expense of the state budget. Today, as part of the festival, there will be screenings of classics of Kyrgyz cinema in Yakutsk - films of the Soviet period. The festival opened with 1968 film “Jamilya”, in which excellent Soviet actress, Merited Artist of the RSFSR Natalya Arinbasarova stars. “I watched Yakut films, I follow what is being done in the Yakut cinema, it is among the avant-garde ones. Your works receive prizes. I would like to make a joint film with you. The year before last, Yakut cinematographers came to us in Kyrgyzstan, they studied our release. We watched yours. We would like some of our films to bwe shown in your republic. After all, we have one history, one culture, we are fraternal peoples,” Taalaibek Kulmendiyev answered the question from YSIA.RU about the exchange of films.